Ohio high school athletes might soon get the chance to benefit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), just like their peers in other states. The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) is gearing up for a big vote from November 17-21, where member schools will decide if NIL is coming to Ohio.
This all comes after a lawsuit and a temporary restraining order put some real pressure on OHSAA to move faster. The result could change high school sports in Ohio, bringing it in line with the national trend of letting student-athletes earn money from their own personal brands.
The Road to NIL Voting
On October 23, 2025, OHSAA’s Board of Directors set up a vote that could let Ohio high school athletes finally cash in on NIL opportunities. The push follows a lawsuit on behalf of Jamier Brown, a standout wide receiver from Dayton, who’s already committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes for the 2027 season.
Brown’s legal team says the current NIL rules violate students’ constitutional rights and keep them from making money they deserve. That argument has gotten some traction.
Legal Pressure and Temporary Restraining Order
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Paige issued a temporary restraining order, stopping OHSAA’s NIL ban for 45 days. This move sped up OHSAA’s timeline and forced an emergency vote on whether to approve NIL for high school athletes.
Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director, says NIL is basically inevitable. He points out that student-athletes across the country are already doing it, so Ohio needs to get with the program and make sure the rules fit high school sports values.
Member Schools to Decide
OHSAA is handing the decision to its member schools, which make up about 75% of Ohio’s educational institutions. They’ll cast their votes on the NIL bylaw referendum, and the results will be out by November 21.
Historical Context and Previous Rejection
Back in 2022, OHSAA member schools shot down the first NIL proposal by a pretty wide margin—538 to 254. At that point, NIL was still a new idea, and lots of folks worried about what it might mean for high school sports.
Since then, though, people are starting to see the potential upsides for student-athletes. The mood has shifted a bit, but it’s hard to say how much.
Proposed NIL Regulations
The new proposal comes with a few restrictions to keep high school NIL different from the college scene. OHSAA says student-athletes wouldn’t get money from collectives, booster clubs, or schools themselves.
NIL deals also wouldn’t be allowed during recruiting, which is supposed to help keep things fair. That’s the idea, anyway.
Transfer Bylaws and Recruiting
One big worry is how NIL might mess with recruiting and transfers. OHSAA’s transfer bylaw isn’t changing, even if NIL goes through.
This rule stops schools from trying to lure students with money, so recruiting should stay pretty tightly controlled. Tim Stried, OHSAA Director of Media Relations, says the goal is to create opportunities for student-athletes and businesses, without shaking up the whole system.
National Context and Comparisons
Ohio is actually one of just a few states that still ban NIL deals for high school athletes. Others on that list include Hawaii, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
But plenty of states have already jumped on board, and from what we’ve seen, NIL can work without causing chaos. That’s encouraging, if a little surprising.
Learning from Other States
OHSAA has been talking with states that already have NIL rules to get a sense of what works and what doesn’t. Doug Ute points out that less than 1% of high school athletes nationwide actually land NIL deals.
So, while the opportunity is there, it’s not like everyone’s suddenly getting rich. Still, OHSAA wants to strike a balance that lets Ohio athletes benefit without losing what makes high school sports special.
Future Implications
This vote is a big deal for Ohio high school sports. If it passes, student-athletes could start making money from their personal brands while they’re still in school.
It’s hard to predict exactly how far the impact will go, but it might just nudge other states with similar bans to rethink things. Change is definitely in the air.
Protecting Amateurism
OHSAA is sticking to its guns when it comes to protecting the amateur status of high school sports. Even with all the buzz about NIL, they’re not about to let things get out of hand.
The proposed regulations are supposed to keep NIL opportunities from crossing a line. Recruitment violations? Nope, not on their watch.
By holding onto strict transfer rules and keeping NIL out of the recruiting process, OHSAA is trying to walk a fine line. They want to let students have some financial opportunities, but they also want to keep high school sports feeling, well, like high school sports.
Honestly, the NIL decision for Ohio high school athletes is a pretty big deal. It says a lot about how sports are changing and how people are starting to see student-athletes’ rights in a new light.
With the vote coming up, there’s a lot of curiosity—maybe even some nerves—about what Ohio will decide. Could this set the tone for other states?
If you want to dig into the details or see what’s at stake, check out the original news article.
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